"It was a totally different story. There was no new generation or anything like that. It was a father-son story. And when that didn't work, I said, 'You know, let's explore other possibilities'.

"It was maybe two years ago when it fully had me, because I hired two young writers and they said this has to be a hand-off to a younger generation."

Of course, there are at least two sides to every story, and Will gave his own version of events to BBC Radio 1Xtra all the way back in February - suggesting he turned the film down.

"I had a couple of films lined up, I had Concussionand Suicide Squad, and so it was a decision, timing-wise, between Independence Day and Suicide Squad," Smith said - and he seemed sad to miss out.

"They were sending pictures from the set, and I was like, ahh. The world is in a place of nostalgia right now."

"Specifically in entertainment, there's such a pull for nostalgia, so it was just the perfect opportunity and it didn't work out."

And what happened to Smith's character Col Hiller? Will he return in a third movie? According to the movie mythology he's dead and gone.

"While test piloting the ESD's first alien hybrid fighter, an unknown malfunction causes the untimely death of Col Hiller," says the War of 96 site.

"Hiller's valour in the War of '96 [referring to the events of the first Independence Day] made him a beloved global icon whose selfless assault against the alien mothership led directly to the enemy's defeat. He is survived by his wife Jasmine and his son Dylan."